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'Anarchy' without Sid

Legendary punk rockers reunite for multi-nation 1996 concert tour

LONDON (AP) -- The Sex Pistols are back, and this time it's not anarchy that drives them -- it's money.

The seminal punk-rock band formed 21 years ago and released a few singles starting with "Anarchy in the U.K." before disintegrating within a few years. Its members had little solo success, and bassist Sid Vicious died of a drug overdose in 1979 while awaiting trial on charges of murdering his girlfriend.

Now the original lineup plans to tour Europe, the United States and Asia.

"We have found a common cause, and it's your money," lead singer John Lydon, again using his nom de punk of Johnny Rotten, said Monday.

If the inspiration is different, the sneering attitude is the same: Rotten said the group plans no new material for the tour, and won't rehearse.

Rotten also said the group won't miss Vicious. His spot will be filled by Glen Matlock, who was bumped from the band in 1976 in favor of Vicious.

"Sid was nothing more than a coat hanger to fill an empty space on the stage," Rotten said.

The tour begins June 21 in Finland. U.S. dates were not announced.